50. Reframing Family Roles: From Unpaid Labor to Empowered Living with Lori Sugarman-Li
AND/BOTH Podcast - Real Conversations, Shared Experiences, and the Community You've Been Missing · Dr. Ashley Blackington
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Show Notes
Today we’re joined by Lori Sugarman, a former marketing executive turned passionate advocate for the value of unpaid labor in the home. Lori shares her transformative journey from a high-level corporate career to a devoted stay-at-home role, only to discover how society systematically undervalues the invisible work of care and home management. Lori reframes the narrative around this labor and its importance to family, community, and overall societal wellness. This episode is packed with thought-provoking moments, actionable ideas, and a call to recognize the inherent worth of every contribution made in and outside the home.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Lori’s journey from marketing executive to stay-at-home mom and community leader
- The pivotal moment when she was denied disability insurance for being “just a housewife” and how it ignited her mission to advocate for the value of unpaid labor
- The societal devaluation of caregiving and domestic work and how it reflects in our systems, from insurance policies to GDP calculations
- How families can reframe “chores” and involve kids in a meaningful way to foster connection and lifelong skills
- The role of communication and collaboration in achieving equity in the home and breaking generational cycles of inequity
- Lori's book, aimed at sparking family conversations about shared responsibility and the value of care work
Connect with Lori:
- Website: Our Home, Our Pride
- Laurie’s Book: Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family (Amazon link-also available wherever books are sold! This is not an affiliate link)
Connect with Ashley:
Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.com
Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822
Instagram: @andboth_podcast